We all know the feeling: Christmas is coming and you just can't wait to find out what you’re getting this year. Yes, Santa's still coming, but your parents have left tantalizing hints and even put some boxes and tubes and funny-shaped packages under the tree. The curiosity is driving you to extra helpings of eggnog. Want to know if being nice has paid off? Of course you do! Here are some tips that might help. But don't show them to your parents: they'll just figure out how to camouflage them better

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Steps

Method 1 of 2: Finding Hidden Presents

1

Don't get caught! The first rule of present-peeking is that you search only when you’re sure your parents won't catch you. Preferably, search while they’re out. If that’s not an option, search while they’re busy elsewhere in the house. It helps to have a quick place to hide if you hear someone coming.

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2

Do your homework. No, not your math, your sleuthing homework. Take photos before you search an area, using either a camera or cell phone. Snap a few pictures of how everything is arranged before you touch any of it.

When you’re done snooping, use the pictures to put everything back in its right place. It’ll be like you were never there.

Be sure to delete the photos when you’re finished!

3

Start with the obvious places. Your parents’ bedroom is the most likely candidate, so start in the closet and under the bed (some parents are careless like this). Then move on to hall closets, high shelves, or anything that’s out of reach.

Look inside rooms that are suddenly locked around Christmas. Look through the keys on your parents’ key chains. Indoor locks (the kind with just the small hole in the knob) are just privacy locks, and can usually be opened with a tiny screwdriver.

If your parents like spy movies, make sure they haven't put a piece of tape or something in the door so they can tell if somebody opens the door.

4

Move on to the other rooms, no matter how innocent they may appear. A really crafty parent might even hide things in your own bedroom! Search all nooks and crannies, including cabinets, closets, vents, and the spaces between sofa pillows. Don’t disregard anything if you really want to find those presents!

5

Search areas that aren't part of the main house. Look in the storage room, basement, garage, sun-room, attic, shed, or storm cellar if you have one. Look under the deck or patio as well.

Also look in roof or bike storage units. They may be locked, but usually the key is easy to find where they always keep their keys.

7

Search your parents’ workplace, especially if they own their own business. Only do this if your parents bring you to work for some reason. Be very careful not to get into important documents or any of their coworkers’ things; this might get you into real trouble.

8

Check your relative or neighbor’s house. If your family is very close with friends or family members who live nearby, your parents might have kept your presents with them for safekeeping. Only try this if you’re going to be over there anyway; never try to sneak in uninvited. Again, don’t search any areas that might get you into trouble (ex. bedrooms or home offices).

9

If all else fails, search for receipts. These could be in the dresser, the car, mom’s purse, or dad’s wallet. You might also find a product description or purchase confirmation in your parents’ email or internet history if they bought your presents online.

. Also try to look for plastic bags that may reveal where they went shopping.

Be extra careful if you decide to snoop on your parent’s computer: this is a serious violation of privacy and can ruin your entire family’s Christmas.

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Method 2 of 2: Figuring Out Wrapped Gifts

1

Check out the box. If it's almost square and about 5-inches (140 mm) long, it's obviously a CD. If it's sealed tight, don't try to open it—wrapping paper can tear very easily. Just think about saying anything to your parents about your favorite CD that you want, and that's probably what it is.

If it's a long rectangle that's not too deep, it's always clothes. If there is any gap in the paper, you might be able to see the color of the box, and at least figure out where they were shopping.

A box that is larger on the bottom, and has a really skinny top, is usually a game of some sort. If there's a second, smaller box taped to the the outside, it's probably batteries for the game.

If the box is about the size of a shoe box, the way to make sure is to feel around the sides of the box, near the top. If there's a lip, you can be pretty certain you have new shoes.

2

Shake the box. Does it make any rattly noises, or can you feel something move inside when you shake? If it does, try to describe what you hear. If you hear chime sounds, it might be a music box; if you hear thumps, it could be something inside something else. If you hear broken glass, put the box down!

3

Beware the large box. Parents are tricky—often times, they will put a small box inside a larger box, especially if the shape of the small box would give up the secret of what's inside.

If the box is large, but is not very heavy, you can be pretty sure it's not packed with clothing, books, or other weighty things.

Truly clever parents will nest smaller boxes inside larger boxes if they catch you snooping. You'll open one box, and find another and then another. Your Big Present may actually turn out to be a gag gift, like a magic decoder ring, or some other silly stocking stuffer.

4

Dig deeper. If the paper wrapping the present is slick and shiny, you can try peeling off the taped ends. Take great caution with this—wrapping paper tears easily, and unless you have more, you could ruin your sleuthing expedition.

Peel off one end only, if you can. If you manage to loosen up one end, you'll be able to get a peek at the sides of your present.

5

Put it all back together. Referring to your snapshots, return everything to its original position, seal up any presents you opened and have a Merry Christmas!

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Tips

If snooping at night while your parents are out, always listen for cars pulling into the driveway and turn on as few lights as possible so that you can turn them off quickly to hide.

Be ready with excuses in case you get caught, such as why the lights were on, why you were in the basement, what you were looking for, etc.

try to look for plastic bags that may reveal where they went shopping.

Carry as few things as possible so that you can escape quickly and don’t accidentally leave anything behind.

If you have a brother or sister, have him/her act as a lookout or give you a booster.

Some parents booby-trap presents that are already wrapped by putting them inside bigger boxes stuffed with newspaper. If you can’t guess what a large present is based on its size, this might be why.

If one of the presents you find is a book (ex. manga) then you can go ahead and read it as long as you don't bend the cover, rip pages, etc.

Start searching as early as Halloween. Some parents may actually go shopping insanely early—and the earlier you find something, the less likely it is to be wrapped.

Never snoop with little brothers or sisters; it can backfire.

IF you can, check their text messages with each other and relatives that get you gifts.

Your parents may go 'grocery' shopping, but be out longer than normal. Around this time of year, this can be a sign they have been out shopping for gifts. When this happens, try to find them soon, because it is more likely they will not be wrapped, and they may be hastily hidden.

Just wait until Christmas Day if you are not a good actor/actress.

Check the history on your computer, phone, etc. to see if there are any stores or products they have checked out.

Make sure that if you find out the gift you still act surprised on Christmas day when you open it.

Warnings

While snooping around the house, you may find something shocking that you were never meant to see.

Be forewarned that you might be disappointed with what you find.

Doing this can really spoil Christmas for your parents. They feel great about giving you presents. Be respectful and don't take that away from them.

If you don’t find anything, just accept it. You’ve waited for your presents before and can do it again.

If you do find your presents, do not visibly alter them in any way. Be sure to act surprised when you open them on Christmas Day. If your parents find out that you spoiled the surprise, they may decide to return or donate your gifts.

It's very likely that your Christmas will not be as much fun if you do this! You will spoil the excitement and anticipation if you know your gifts in advance.

If your parents catch you, there is no way you will get out of it.

Looking for receipts in mom’s purse or dad’s wallet is a bad idea. If you're caught you'll be in trouble. It's almost impossible to put papers and receipts back exactly as they were.

Parents sometimes hide presents in storage units, making them impossible to get hold of.

Know that if you get caught, you might get spanked or otherwise punished.

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